96 ENCOUNTER WITH A BEAK. 



snow at a quick pace, rather unmanageable, however, by a 

 novice like myself. A young bear having been discovered 

 in a cave, I begged he might be put at my discretion, and 

 that we might have a combat a Toutrance. They talked a 

 great deal of nonsense about danger, but at length the 

 point was conceded. I roused the beast with a great stone, 

 which hit him somewhere on the os frontis. Out came 

 Bruin with a growl, and I then belaboured him over the 

 head, and I really believe I should have had the best of it, 

 being pretty expert at single-stick, could I have made any 

 impression on the beast; but he only shook his head a 

 little, as if he dissented from my conduct. He seemed 

 much given to apathy indeed I never saw a more 

 phlegmatic animal ; nevertheless he kept advancing upon 

 me, and at length, in spite of my blows, which were 

 numerous and heavy, reared himself on his hind legs, and 

 fairly got me within his foul hug. I assure you, upon my 

 credit, I never felt more uncomfortable in my life ; but the 

 Norwegians, taking the alarm, ran in and dispatched him 

 with their long knives: for this they received my for- 

 giveness, though the combat was somewhat sullied, the 

 rather, as I found the beast was powerful and resolutely 

 inclined, though I would willingly have had a longer 

 tussel with him. He is not a very terrible animal after 

 all, but, on the contrary, somewhat too loving and close 

 in his embraces, whereof I felt the effects for a con- 

 siderable time afterwards. 



" But really your Norwegian is always too hasty with 

 his weapons. As a second instance of what I say, I must 

 tell you that I went with one of these barbarous hunts- 

 men in quest of a salmon. Day after day, and week after 



